Yes 35th anniversary tour

[progdirjim(Admin)]

Saw them with my brother last night - all in all a great show. It'd been a few tours since I'd seen them, since I'd gotten a little burned out on Yes, particularly some of the more recent stuff. I'm really glad I went last night!

They opened with Stravinsky's Firebird theme, seguing into a rocking "Going For The One". Steve was on for this one, as he was all night. No one in the band is a musical slouch, but Steve was the most impressive for me - some of his solos and licks were spot on from the album, others completley rearranged - and it was the perfect mix of new takes on songs and classic versions.

Next song was "Sweet Dream" - a song I've never seen them play live before - and they had several of those - "Every Little Thing" as an encore, for example. From there they went into Your Move/All Good People, beautifully done. Then, an extended version of Mind Drive, with Turn Of The Century and South Side Of The Sky worked into the middle. One of the highlights of the whole concert was the jam in SSOTS, with Steve and Rick trading licks back and forth - smoking. Steve had that hollow body Gibson (I think it's the ES-175), and Rick had a vintage moog going!

Alan White was a disappointment last night - he played OK, but was kind of boring. He was just missing some sparks that he's capable of. This is kind of a nit, as he wasn't off tempo or anything like that.

Jon Anderson looks pretty good for his age. His voice was just a bit strained for the first 2-3 songs (but right on key), but he warmed up and sounded excellent for the rest of the night. Chris's background vocals suffered once or twice (I saw him reach for his throat at one point after missing a note), but overall sounded good. Chris and Rick were what you'd expect - solid performances, a few highlights, but like I said, Steve really shined. Good thing he can play, because he looked really old.

After an hour set, they took a 15 minute break (for "tea and biscuits"), then came back and started off with some unplugged numbers - the first piece was a short throwaway with Rick on piano and Jon singing - I didn't recognize it. A reworked version of Long Distance Runaround was sweet, Wondrous Stories, and something from Magnification, I forget the title. They did a VERY reworked version of Roundabout as well - I give them credit for reworking it, but it had kind of a boogie-woogie feel that I was less than enthralled with. My brother liked it, so your mileage may vary. This version made me realize how close the chord progression is to "Love Machine" - a little scary.

Back to the full band, with the lowlight of the night - "Rhythm Of Love" puh-leeze. Jon walked off the stage into the audience for this one though, shaking hands and high fiving dozens of audience members - nice touch. And You And I - wonderful. and Keith would have loved the closer - Ritual, very nicely done. Alan finally woke up for this piece and worked out nicely, with Jon on miscellaneous percussion and Chris on tympani.

Encores were "Every Little Thing" and the outro to "Gates Of Delirium" - would have liked all of Gates, but they played for 2.5 hours, so no complaints there.

Non-band highlight of the show was some idiot in the fourth row "dancing" - he must of been on some really good or really bad drugs - his spastic gyrations had absolutely nothing to do with the music being played. Very entertaining to watch.

Sound was excellent - it may have helped that I was close enough to the sound board to read the set list...

See them if you get the chance - they sounded great!

Really, really pleased you enjoyed it. Thanks for the review.

I'm SO looking forward to seeing them in June with my new buddie Jamforte. The fact that they'll play Ritual again makes my heart sing.

[podakayne]

wish i'd been able to see the show but alas...bound & gagged in seattle...i tried...guess i'll have to make good on some consequences.

Good thing he can play, because he looked really old.

i like you spotlighted the players...glad steve was on...LOL! we should be so agile at his age!

[Yesspaz]

Once again, I will miss the greatest band ever. I've never seen my heroes live. Always too far, or too much for my budget, or the night before an exam...



On the positive, King's X at the Nick in B'Ham in 8 days...

[dying_serin]

I really need to see them before one of them rolls over and dies!
I must see Steve Howe!

[Bob Lentil]

Originally posted by Yesspaz
Once again, I will miss the greatest band ever. I've never seen my heroes live. Always too far, or too much for my budget, or the night before an exam...



On the positive, King's X at the Nick in B'Ham in 8 days...

My one attempt to see Yes was thwarted by a flat tire.

On the positive, King's X at the Hard Rock Cafe in Pittsburgh in 15 days. . .

[Roger -Dot- Lee(Admin)]

Originally posted by Yesspaz
Once again, I will miss the greatest band ever. I've never seen my heroes live. Always too far, or too much for my budget, or the night before an exam...

I'll write up a report. Mrs.Lee busted the budget, but she got me tickets. Not the best seats in the world, but they have big screens and a wonderful sound system.

[podakayne]

and that's not to play down the wonderous Mrs.Lee give Yesspaz a detailed account...it's only fare...if i could i'd send him myself i would. only saw YES once but it was majical, spiritual a unique experience...hate that i've missed this one.

[QuantumJo]

Only seen Yes once 20 some years ago at the Buffalo War Memorial Auditorium. Great show. Although it was not the type of music I listened to on a daily basis. I was still in my hard core heavy metal stage.

[Yesspaz]

The vibe in Jacktown, MS is that the best show to ever play in Jacktown was the only time Yes ever played there, in 1974, the Relayer tour. People still talk about it, along with the Tom Petty Wildflowers show (which I did see), The Eagles reunion, and a few others.

Originally posted by Yesspaz
The vibe in Jacktown, MS is that the best show to ever play in Jacktown was the only time Yes ever played there, in 1974, the Relayer tour.

I thought the Tales tour was 1974 with Relayer in 1975. Maybe not then. You learn something new on the Moon every day.

[Rick and Roll]

I won't argue with someone who was at the 801 Live show!

Anyway, I was told the 1974 tour with Yes, Peter Frampton, and Gary Wright was just incredible.

I saw Yes two years back at an ampitheatre (played Ritual, Gates!). Saw them several years prior, with the orchestra. The Union tour was sweet, also. Awaken (or shoud I say Awakeman) was the highlight. Also been to a couple Rabin-era Yes shows. A bit more arena-style and bombastic.

Good to hear Howe is in form. I've always been a Squire man, myself. Howe has been good however I've seen him (especially with GT.

I was happy to see Yes in their current form - the past three or four tours have had the best line-up and song selection since the 70's. I don't think I'd shell out big $ again (even Rush shows are enough at these prices). I've seen them and the smaller shows have been kind to me.

If you've never seen Yes, do it.

[podakayne]

Originally posted by the fabulous Rick
If you've never seen Yes, do it.

[progdirjim(Admin)]

forgot to mention "Yours Is No Disgrace" - a personal favorite, but that was the song where Alan was most missing it - he just lacked the dynamics he had on the Yessongs version.

Again, I don't want to harp on Alan too badly - he wasn't off-beat or off-tempo; but he's a great drummer who was merely good that night.

[Yesspaz]

I just checked on the net, and the actual date was...

06/05/76 Jackson MS

It was the second Relayer tour...

[progdirjim(Admin)]

Originally posted by Rick and Roll

Good to hear Howe is in form. I've always been a Squire man, myself. Howe has been good however I've seen him (especially with GT.

Squire was awfully good, don't get me wrong. But I've seen Yes probably 8 times, and he wasn't any better this time than the other 7 - he's been great each time. Howe is also always great, but he was particularly inspired this time.

[progdirjim(Admin)]

bump